Crafting Columnist

Jocelynn Brown, a native Detroiter, is a graduate of Wayne State University and has worked at The Detroit News for some 20 years. Jocelynn has always loved to make things and is lucky enough to be able to incorporate her hobby into her work in the Features department.

• Jocelynn can be reached at Reach her at jbrown@detnews.com.

More on Jocelynn

"Ever since I can remember, I’ve always enjoyed some form of crafting. I think it must have started at a very young age when I first discovered how much fun it could be to make things out small items my mother and paternal grandmother no longer wanted. That would lead to crocheting, knitting, doll making, beading, sewing, and, believe it or not, the list may still be growing.

"When I was asked to write a craft column, it was a welcomed opportunity. I could actually write about my favorite pastimes and meet others who shared my passion for making things by hand. In addition to the column, I also write the craft blog and a Yarn Over item that appears almost every Saturday in the My Weekend section of the paper and online.

Jocelynn's Favorite Things

• Crafts: Crocheting, because my mother taught me. Growing up, we often spent long hours crocheting together while watching TV and sitting on the back porch. I also find much enjoyment in knitting, beading and simple sewing projects.
• Yarns: wool and silk blends, and 100 percent cotton
• Fabrics: mud cloth, batiks, boiled wool and heavy linen
• Place to shop: anywhere that has at least a 50 percent-off sale
• Movies: anything by Tyler Perry
• TV Show: "America’s Next Top Model"
• Color: purple (worn with olive green)
• Art/craft projects I’m most proud of: Four mud-cloth vests I made last year to add to my wardrobe; and a 4-foot tall needle-sculpted Victorian lady doll, complete with a black and burgundy outfit, including a hand-crocheted shawl and tapestry boots with matching hat.